ELLE Flashback: 1987

A look back at the year that saw Dirty Dancing, Spaceballs, and "Lady in Red"

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1987 might just be one of the best years for pop culture ever. The Princess Bride, Wall Street, Dirty Dancing, and Spaceballs were among the top 10 highest grossing films of the year; Kasey Kasem counted down hits like U2's "With or Without You," George Michael's "Faith," The Bangles' "Walk Like an Egyptian," and arguably one of the most makeout-session assured slow-dance numbers in modern history: Chris Deburgh's "Lady in Red."

1987 was a banner year for ELLE, too. Not only had the magazine made it through its first full year in circulation (an accomplishment that was no small feat even in the booming `80s) but it was thriving—each new issue adding a few more ad pages than the last. Designers at the top of their game included Stephen Sprouse, Issey Miyake, Karl Lagerfeld, Calvin Klein, and furrier Chantal Thomass, all of whose collections were featured in ELLE's pages, often in prominent designer-spotlight fashion stories. The trends were heavily geared toward sportswear: matchy-matchy knits, colorblocked coats, and casual leather. Punctuating these looks were the accessories: bauble-y, oversized jewelry, John Lennon-style round sunglasses, long-strapped purses, simple suede pumps, Bass Weejun loafers, and jewel-tone skimmers.

And, as always, the ads are nostalgic and hilarious—enjoy a look back at ELLE in 1987.